The Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel

In March 2017, I decided to travel solo to Sikkim, India. The decision was based on pure instinct. Looking back, it was one of the most amazing decisions I have ever made. There is something special about our innermost instincts. They just seem to know something we are unaware of.

I trusted my gut and booked the flight tickets. That’s it. NO Accommodation booking. NO itinerary. NO Planning. I was just going with the flow and live in the moment. This gave me the freedom to do anything, go anywhere, and be anyone.

I must admit, I was a bit afraid. 8 Days. Unfamiliar Land. Solo.

After the trip, the whole scenario completely flipped.

I wanted more days. I felt at Home. I found peace. I found happiness. I found myself.

You must be wondering how could a person change so much in 8 days. Well, I have all your answers. Patience is all I ask.

The complete experience of solo travel just cannot be captured in words. So Simple, So Enriching, So Powerful.

Tip #1 : Plan Wisely

DO NOT plan each and every moment of your trip in advance. The only thing you need to plan is the number of days required for a particular place. That’s it. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make while traveling. People tend to over plan their days. Traveling is not about covering all places, rather it is about embracing the moment. It is completely fine if you wish to stay in a particular place for more time, even though you might miss out on other places. The important thing is to be content with where you are.

Tip #2 : Respect their Culture

Learn about the local culture and become a part of it. It is very important to follow and respect their culture. People around the world have different cultures and even though they are bit flexible and lenient for foreigners. But it is absolutely unacceptable to disrespect it. Such people are not welcomed by the local community and may lead to further conflicts. So I emphasize again, Respect their Culture.

Tip #3 : Learn Photography

We live in a world where we want to capture all our beautiful moments forever. Basic Photography skills are a must. Take a course and keep on practicing until you get the essence of photography. Good Photography has the power to turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary.

Tip #4 : Be Self Reliant

Being self-reliant is very important while traveling solo. As a habit, do not depend on other people for your tasks. Be prepared to handle all your responsibilities by yourself. Traveling solo comes with a lot of challenges. So be prepared and embrace them with open arms.

Tip #5 : Spend some nights in Backpacker Hostels

The nights you spend in Backpacker Hostels would be cherished for years to come. You would meet people from all around the world. Believe me everyone on this planet has a story to share. Spend some time knowing about people from all walks of life. You would be surprised and stunned by the things,that people would share with you.

Tip #6 : Interact with Locals

No one knows a place better than the locals. So try to interact with them on a regular basis. They would be more than happy to help you. You could inquire about so many things like offbeat places or local dishes or specialties. So be open-minded and try to learn about the place from the locals itself.

Tip #7 : Rent a Bike

Poor transportation network should not be a hindrance to your journey. Renting a bike would give the freedom to travel on your our terms. This little investment is priceless. Renting a bike also gives you flexibility as you can rent it as per your need.

Tip #8 : Keep your Learning Hats ON always

When we travel to new places, we must keep on learning more and more about the people, the culture, the food and the list goes on indefinitely. There is so much to learn and absorb that it becomes overwhelming at times. So your attitude towards this is really important. So enjoy and take in the essence of the places you visit.

Tip #9 : Stay Alert. Stay Safe

Safety always comes first. Travelling solo can be a dangerous affair. So stay alert always and take precautions if you don’t want to get into trouble too often. Do not trust everyone you meet, they might not have your best interests in mind. So you must take precautions from your side and hope for the best.

Tip #10 : Gift Yourself an Extra Day

I always suggest people to keep at least one extra day. Things might not always go as planned. So it is always a good idea to keep a day or two spare, to accommodate any delay. Also having an extra day gives you room for impromptu plans. You could also use this day to just relax and chill out before you go back home.

So to conclude I would recommend you to keep the above points in mind. Travel Awesome. Travel Responsibly.

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